Simon Wood pictured during a visit to an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya in 1999. Credit: PA

British Airways is to be sued for damages over claims one of its pilots sexually abused children in African schools and orphanages.

Lawyers representing 16 young girls and women who claim First Officer Simon Wood assaulted them said the airline bears responsibility because he carried out the alleged attacks while on stopovers.

An inquest is due to be held into the death of Wood, 54, who was struck by a train in August while awaiting a court appearance accused of indecently assaulting a young girl and making indecent images of children.

Law firm Leigh Day said Wood allegedly molested youngsters during stopovers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania while flying for British Airways. Some of their clients are aged just eight.

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British Airways said it is not using Ukrainian air space with the exception of its daily service from London Heathrow to Kiev but will keep that service "under review" despite the crash site being hundreds of miles away from the capital.

Scottish independence could be “a positive development” for the UK’s flagship airline British Airways, the chief executive of the firm’s parent group has said.

According to The Scotsman, Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), said the Scottish Government’s policy on air passenger duty (APD) meant that a Yes vote would be “marginally positive” for the industry.

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh. Credit: PA

Mr Walsh told BBC Breakfast: "It might be marginally positive because, I suspect, the Scottish Government will abolish air passenger duty because they recognise the huge impact that tax has on their economy.

“So, it is probably going to be a positive development, if it does happen, for British Airways.”

Ryanair has confirmed a number of flight cancellations and has predicted significant delays and further cancellations for the rest of the day.

Ryan Air has confirmed cancellations. Credit: Ryan Air

The list of cancellations, posted on its website, comes amid warnings to passengers that European flights in the next two days are likely to encounter delays and disruptions as Air Traffic Control staff are planning to strike in Italy and Portugal.